HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 5/4/2021 - Memorandum From Abbye Neel And Mariel Miller And Alice Conovitz Re: Notice Of Voluntary Water Shortage Watch Effective April 29, 2021
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: April 26, 2021
TO: Mayor Jeni Arndt and Councilmembers
FROM: Abbye Neel, Interim Water Conservation Manager
Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Specialist
Alice Conovitz, Water Conservation Data Analyst
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Theresa Conner, Interim Utilities Executive Director
Gretchen Stanford, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Customer Connections
RE: Notice of Voluntary Water Shortage Watch Effective April 29, 2021.
Bottom Line: The City Manager signed a Declaration and Order (attached) April 21 for a
voluntary Water Shortage Watch, effective April 29, pursuant to Fort Collins City Code Section
26-167(a) and the Water Shortage Action Plan (WSAP).
Background: As the weather warms up and we enter runoff and thunderstorm season, we are
likely to see sediment and ash from the Cameron Peak Fire flow into the Cache la Poudre River.
Because of this, Fort Collins Utilities may experience temporary periods when Poudre River
water supplies are unavailable. These source water limitations, in addition to irrigation demands
during what is projected to be a hot and dry summer, have the potential to create a water
shortage. To prepare for this potential, the Water Shortage Action Committee, a staff group that
monitors supply and demand conditions, recommended a voluntary Water Shortage Watch to
promote community awareness and help prepare for mandatory water restrictions if necessary
due to changing conditions. Water Board indicated support for a Water Shortage Watch at their
March 18 meeting.
Together, We Can Make a Difference: Staff launched an extensive public Water Shortage
Watch communication effort that includes information about post-wildfire watershed recovery
activities and monitoring. Key messages include the importance of taking voluntary actions now
to reduce water use, which helps protect our water supplies and lower the chance of mandatory
water restrictions later on. A comprehensive list of voluntary water-saving actions and frequently
asked questions is at fcgov.com/water-restrictions. The public can stay updated on the status of
our water quality and supply at fcgov.com/water-status.
Staff continue to 1) share information and identify collaboration opportunities with local and
regional providers on both water shortage and watershed recovery efforts and 2) monitor water
quality and work to improve future water availability by pursuing watershed recovery actions
and associated funding opportunities.
A watch will continue until no longer needed and is anticipated to be lifted by the end of the
irrigation season. If conditions worsen, the city manager may issue mandatory water restrictions
at a later time.
CC: Mark Kempton, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Water Resources and Treatment
Liesel Hans, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Water Resources and Treatment
Eric Potyondy, Assistant City Attorney
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
700 Wood Street
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6700
970.221.6619 fax V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
Declaration and Order of a Voluntary
Water Shortage Watch for Fort Collins Utilities Water Customers
The City Manager of the City of Fort Collins hereby makes this Declaration and Order of
Voluntary Water Shortage Watch for Fort Collins Utilities Water Customers
Order ursuant to Fort Collins City Code Section 26-167(a) and the Water Shortage Action
The voluntary actions described in this Order shall be effective starting on _____________, 2021
and will remain in effect until lifted by order of the City Manager, anticipated by the end of the
2021 irrigation season. Upon determination that a Watch is no longer needed or that conditions
have worsened, the City Manager will declare the end of the Watch and issue another order lifting
the Watch, or publish another order indicating the need for mandatory water restrictions following
WSAP Action Level I-IV, pursuant to Fort Collins City Code Section 26-167(a).
Projected Water Shortage and Necessity of Voluntary, Water Shortage Watch
are high during what is projected to be a hot and dry summer.
The Cameron Peak Fire began Aug. 13, 2020 and burned 208,913 acres to become the largest
wildfire in Colorado history. Much of the burn area is within the Poudre River watershed, with
extensive burn areas adjacent to source water infrastructure for Utilities and surrounding
communities, including Chambers Lake, Joe Wright Reservoir, and the Michigan Ditch. As a result
of the fire, water quality may be impacted during times of spring run-off and other precipitation
events in 2021. Utilities anticipates intermittent and temporary timeframes when Poudre River
water supplies will be untreatable and treated water will be supplied solely from
water source Horsetooth Reservoir.
Voluntary, Water Shortage Watch for Utilities Water Customers
Voluntary measures and awareness of the potential for a shortage is needed for Utilities water
customers in order to prepare for potential water use restrictions while monitoring of water supply
conditions continues.
The following voluntary water use restrictions shall apply for the duration of this Order. They are
based on the Water Shortage Watch Action Level from the WSAP, which involves voluntary
restrictions based on Action Level I mandatory actions or best practices and will promote
awareness while staff continuing to monitor the given situation. These actions may provide for
water shortage mitigation and avoid or defer mandatory restrictions.
Water Shortage Watch Voluntary Action
Indoor Use Reductions (best practices, make reductions where
possible)
Landscape Water Use
Lawn Watering
week
Non-Watering Hours No watering between 10 a.m. and 6
p.m.
Number of Lawn
Watering Days per
Week
Limit to two days per week
Sprinkler System
Maintenance
Minimize test run times per zone
Trees Limit watering to two days per
week and not between 10 a.m. and
6 p.m. and by hand, drip system or
deep root fork or needle at any time
Food Production Limit watering to two days per
week and not between 10 a.m.
and 6 p.m. and by hand or by drip
system at any time
Other Landscapes Limit watering to two days per
week and not between 10 a.m. and
6 p.m. and by hand or by drip
system at any time
Non-Landscape Water Use
Residential Vehicle
Washing
Must use shutoff nozzle
City of Fort Collins
Fleet Vehicle Washing
As needed
Dealership Vehicle
Washing
As needed
Spraying Impervious
Surfaces
Whenever possible deploy dry
methods first
Dust Control Measures
for Dust Generating
Activities
Whenever possible use alternative
(non-water) dust control measures,
Dust
Prevention and Control Manual
Street Sweeping No more than normal operating
schedule and essential street
sweeping. Whenever possible,
deploy dry methods first
Hydrant Flushing and
Testing
No more than normal operating
schedule and critical situations
Water Features Turn off water feature
Splash Parks Operate system to maximize water
reuse while maintaining water
quality
Community Outdoor
Swimming Pools
Use pool cover and backwash
system if exists
Individual Outdoor
Swimming Pools and
Recreational Water
Toys
Use pool cover and backwash
system if exists. Limit use by
setting a spigot timer on the hose
Misting Devices Limit use to only when
temperatures are extreme and
misted areas are occupied
Enforcement
Residential fines per
violation
Not Applicable
Business fines per violation Not Applicable
Water Rate Adjustments
Adjust water rates to
encourage additional
conservation
No adjustment
Approved:
________________________________
Darin Atteberry, City Manager